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{{short description|2009 Australian film}}
{{About|the 2009 movie|other uses|I Am You (disambiguation){{!}}I Am You}}
{{About|the 2009 movie|other uses|I Am You (disambiguation){{!}}I Am You}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
Line 6: Line 7:
| caption = Official American release poster
| caption = Official American release poster
| director = Simone North
| director = Simone North
| producer = Tony Cavanagh<br>'''Executive:'''<br>Maureen Barron<br>Catriona Hughes<br>Jason Moody<br>John Keating<br>Leesa Kahn
| producer = Tony Cavanagh<br />'''Executive:'''<br />Maureen Barron<br />Catriona Hughes<br />Jason Moody<br />John Keating<br />Leesa Kahn
| writer = Simone North
| writer = Simone North
| based_on = {{based on|''Perfect Victim''|Elizabeth Southall and Megan Norris}}
| based_on = {{based on|''Perfect Victim''|Elizabeth Southall and Megan Norris}}
| starring = [[Guy Pearce]]<br>[[Miranda Otto]]<br>[[Kate Bell (Australian actress)|Kate Bell]]<br>[[Khan Chittenden]]<br>[[Sam Neill]]<br>[[Rebecca Gibney]]<br>[[Ruth Bradley]]<br>[[Jack Finsterer]]<br>[[Robert Braiden]]<br>[[Jerome Velinsky]]<br>[[Paul Bishop (actor)|Paul Bishop]]
| starring = [[Guy Pearce]]<br />[[Miranda Otto]]<br />[[Kate Bell (Australian actress)|Kate Bell]]<br />[[Khan Chittenden]]<br />[[Sam Neill]]<br />[[Rebecca Gibney]]<br />[[Ruth Bradley]]<br />[[Jack Finsterer]]<br />[[Robert Braiden]]<br />[[Jerome Velinsky]]<br />[[Paul Bishop (actor)|Paul Bishop]]
| studio = [[Screen Australia]]<br>Liberty Films International
| studio = [[Screen Australia]]<br />Liberty Films International
| distributor = Goldcrest Films (international)
| distributor = Goldcrest Films (international)
| released = {{Film date|2009}} 2013 (Australian pay TV premiere)
| released = {{Film date|2009}} 2013 (Australian pay TV premiere)
| runtime = 107 minutes
| runtime = 107 minutes
| country = [[Australia]]
| country = [[Australia]]
| budget = $7.5 million<ref name="limbo">[http://if.com.au/2009/06/02/article/In-Her-Skin-in-limbo/NRWTIEIBVQ.html Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin in limbo", ''If Magazine'' 2 June 2009] accessed 3 June 2013</ref>
| budget = $7.5 million<ref name="limbo">[http://if.com.au/2009/06/02/article/In-Her-Skin-in-limbo/NRWTIEIBVQ.html Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin in limbo", ''If Magazine'' 2 June 2009], If.com.au, accessed 3 June 2013</ref>
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
}}
}}


'''''In Her Skin''''' (also known as '''''I Am You''''' from the working title ''How to Change in 9 Weeks'') is a 2009 Australian drama movie written and directed by Simone North.<ref name="weeks">{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967335.html?categoryid=28&cs=1 |first=Stacy |last=Dodd |title=Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, Sam Neill |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=20 June 2007 |accessdate=18 August 2008}}</ref> The film is based on the true story of the murder of 15-year-old Rachel Barber, who went missing on 1 March 1999. It was later discovered that Barber was murdered by a former neighbour and family babysitter, Caroline Reed Robertson.<ref name="nine" />
'''''In Her Skin''''' (also known as '''''I Am You''''' from the working title ''How to Change in 9 Weeks'') is a 2009 Australian drama movie written and directed by Simone North.<ref name="weeks">{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967335.html?categoryid=28&cs=1 |first=Stacy |last=Dodd |title=Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, Sam Neill |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=18 August 2008}}</ref> The film is based on the true story of the murder of 15-year-old Rachel Barber, [[Ivan Southall]]'s granddaughter, who went missing on March 1, 1999. It was later discovered that Barber was murdered by a former neighbour and family babysitter, Caroline Reed Robertson.<ref name="nine" />


The film's story is told from alternating points of view; the victim, the victim's parents, and the murderer. Flashbacks reveal details about all of the characters, including the motive of the murderer. ''In Her Skin'' is inspired by the book ''Perfect Victim'' by Elizabeth Southall (Rachel's mother) and Megan Norris (an Investigative reporter).
The film's story is told from alternating points of view; the victim, the victim's parents, and the murderer. Flashbacks reveal details about all of the characters, including the motive of the murderer. ''In Her Skin'' is inspired by the book ''Perfect Victim'' by Elizabeth Southall (Rachel's mother) and Megan Norris (an Investigative reporter).


==Plot==
==Synopsis==
Fifteen-year old Rachel Barber misses her tram to meet with her father. Her parents grow concerned and report the incident to the police the next day. Since Rachel had gone missing with her backpack, with several of her most favorite possessions, the police treat the case as a teenage runaway incident.
{{Plot|film|date=July 2020}}
The film begins when 15-year-old Rachel Barber misses her train home one night to meet with her father, Mike. Mike then relays this unusual action to his wife and Rachel's mother, Elizabeth. Initially only moderately concerned, hours drag on and the Barber family begin a frantic search for her.


Caroline Reid Robertson, a former neighbor and babysitter to the Barber family suffers from low self-esteem, depression, and an inferiority complex due to being bullied at school. Her parents are divorced and she has a complicated relationship with them. She idolizes the Barber family especially their daughter Rachel and tries to emulate her. This obsession continues even after Caroline starts her adult life away from the Barber family. After years spent in obsessing over Rachel, Caroline decides to 'become' Rachel and replace her. She asks Rachel to be a part of a confidential study through which Rachel can earn a considerable amount of money. Rachel confides about the study to her boyfriend, Manni, who is skeptical about it, but she does not tell him who recruited her for the study.
It is established that Rachel is a well lauded dancer in her neighbourhood, a confident and gifted girl who follows her passion of dancing and is loved unconditionally by her moderately liberal parents and her caring boyfriend, Emmanuel "Manni" Carella.


Rachel goes to Caroline's apartment where they talk to each other and drink. Caroline manages to incapacitate Rachel and strangles her to death.
The next day, the Barbers report the incident to the police (despite an original attempt the same night of her disappearance — which was advised against by the officer Elizabeth was speaking to as it had only been a short time since her absence, and a missing persons investigation normally requires more time for certainty). The officer in charge quickly shows he is indifferent to the idea of yet another teenage runaway case: Rachel had gone missing with her backpack, with several of her most favourite possessions, making it look like she was leaving. As a result, the support he and his colleagues give is minor and distant. Everybody in Rachel's circle of friends and extended family is astounded by this story as she was believed to be very content in her life. Despite the pleas of the Barber family, the police take the case lightly and refuse an extensive search for their daughter.


Meanwhile, Manni tells Rachel's parents about the study Rachel wanted to participate in. An analyst with the police's Missing Persons department, Max DePyle, takes an interest in the case. DePyle calls in a favor with a friend at [[Australia's Most Wanted]] so that the case can get special attention from the media.
The film then focuses on the life of Caroline Reed Robertson; a former neighbour and babysitter of Rachel and the Barber family. Caroline is a disturbed teenager who has struggled all her life with an elevated state of depression due to inferiority complex and parental rejection. Caroline is overweight, epileptic and has extreme self-loathing. She is very self-conscious about her weight and remains constantly apprehensive about going to school, where she is bullied.


Caroline dumps Rachel's body at her father's farm. She thinks about how she can use Rachel's identity to start afresh. Feigning concern over Rachel's disappearance, Caroline calls the Barber home. But she is appalled to find that someone described Rachel being seen with a woman matching Caroline's description.
She tries to seek comfort in her rich and successful but estranged father, David Reid, by writing him endearing letters informing him about her day-to-day troubles and anxieties. After David divorces Caroline's mother, Gail, she seeks comfort in her sympathetic neighbour, Elizabeth Barber. Distraught Caroline follows her mother to the neighbour's house and sees the happy household of the Barbers. There she notices their daughter, Rachel, a much younger and beautiful girl in a great outfit practising a beautiful dance. She immediately sees her as an embodiment of the perfect person she wants to be. She develops an obsession to study her and be like her. At her home, she continually practices how to be best friends with Rachel but fails to confront her in reality. Caroline distances herself from her depressed mother and tries to be closer to her father by putting her flaws on the table so he can comfort her. However, David's indifference towards Caroline grows with time; he sees her only as a liability, and minimises her anger and tantrums.


Caroline's odd behavior does not go unnoticed and soon her mother shares her concerns with Caroline's father. The police also become interested in Caroline and Detective Neil Paterson and DePyle brings her in for questioning. Caroline collapses and has to be hospitalized. Her father coaxes her to admit her possible role in Rachel's disappearance. Caroline ends up confessing to the murder and Detective Paterson arrests her.
As Caroline grows up to be independent in her ever-disturbed state of mind, she secludes herself in a dingy apartment and ignores everyone who actually cares about her, her mother and her sympathetic friends at work. She focuses on two people whom she admires and wants affection from: her callous father, and the unaware Rachel. While the Barbers forget about Caroline as her family moves away, Caroline continually observes Rachel and keeps making notes in order to emulate her in every way. She keeps failing, and as a result suffers ever more self-loathing. Caroline gets frustrated one day and devises a plan to murder Rachel and steal the identity of the girl she wants to be — effectively "replacing" her with herself.


Patterson and DePyle come to the Barber household to inform them of Rachel's fate and Caroline's involvement in it.
She gathers herself and in her private, insecure state of mind puts on a confident public face. Very convincingly, she lures Rachel into her trap by asking her to take part in a confidential research study that would award Rachel with $500 and much beautiful clothing to take away. Young and naive Rachel is attracted to the offer and readily agrees to Caroline's seemingly harmless offer. In the meantime, Rachel enjoys time with Manni; she mentions to him her confidential high-paying job while ogling a pair of expensive shoes. Despite his concern, she refuses to divulge to him the nature of the job. She plans to execute the job, earn enough money to buy the shoes, and tell him all about it later.


The film closes with Caroline in prison awaiting trial while Rachel's funeral is attended by her family and friends.
Caroline takes Rachel to her apartment, gets her to relax and casually socialise over drinks, and then meditate as a part of the study. And then Caroline brutally strangles her to death.


⚫
==Cast==
When Rachel goes missing, Manni eventually reveals to Elizabeth about the mysterious job. Upon learning this, the Barbers strongly believe their daughter's disappearance to be a kidnapping by a local brothel; they attempt to coax the local police to investigate further. Once again, the effort fails due to the police's indifference. A few days later, an analyst with the police's Missing Persons department, Max DePyle, notices the missing persons posters of Rachel all over Melbourne (placed painstakingly by her family over very full and long hours of effort on the street). DePyle himself is a devoted father; he dedicates himself to aiding the Barbers as much as he can, as he senses something is wrong with Rachel's case.
⚫
*[[Guy Pearce]] as Mike Barber, Rachel's father

⚫
*[[Miranda Otto]] as Elizabeth Barber, Rachel's mother
DePyle calls in a favor with a friend at [[Australia's Most Wanted]]. He is able to get special attention from the media, and more people come forward to comfort and help the Barber family in pursuit of their missing daughter.
⚫
*[[Kate Bell (Australian actress)|Kate Bell]] as Rachel Barber, 15-year-old Australian dance student who went missing in Melbourne in 1999<ref name="nine">{{cite web|url = http://www.totalfilm.com/movie_news/guy_pearce_knows_how_to_change_in_9_weeks|title = Working Title in Her Skin|website=Totalfilm.com}}</ref>

⚫
*[[Khan Chittenden]] as Manni Carella, Rachel's boyfriend
Caroline dumps Rachel's body at David's farm and feels liberated from the self-imposed pressure to be like Rachel. She believes her plan to be flawless and makes preparations to flee under Rachel's name. She is still moderately insecure, but her depression begins to ebb and she feels smug to be in control. She calls the Barbers' residence, showing fake concern in order to gather knowledge about their search. She is taken aback when one of the witnesses comes forward describing Rachel's last contact with someone who looked like Caroline. Caroline's mother gets suspicious and informs her ex-husband and Caroline's father about her fears and her concern for Caroline. The police also figure out Caroline's possible involvement, and Detective Neil Paterson and DePyle come with a squad to apprehend Caroline for questioning. Caroline succumbs to the immeasurable pressure, collapses and is hospitalised. Her father, already disturbed by what Caroline may have done, kindly asks her to admit the truth to the police, saying that if she does she will be the daughter he always wanted (in truth, however, he wants to give her up to the police as an easy escape from dealing with his disappointment in his daughter forever). Moved to tears by this, Caroline confesses to Paterson that she killed Rachel. Paterson arrests Caroline and charges her with Rachel's murder.
⚫
*[[Sam Neill]] as David Reid, Caroline's father

⚫
*[[Rebecca Gibney]] as Gail, Caroline's mother
In a tense and quiet scene; a solemn Patterson and DePyle come to the Barber household and reveal that Rachel is dead and her body recovered, and that Caroline, her killer, is in custody. The film ends with Caroline in prison awaiting trial, and Rachel's funeral being attended by her family, boyfriend, friends and many others, mourning Rachel's misfortune and death.
⚫
*[[Ruth Bradley]] as Caroline Reed Robertson, Rachel's former neighbour and sitter (Bradley won a Best Actress award at the [[Milan Film Festival|Milan International Film Festival]] 2010 for her performance)

⚫
*[[Jack Finsterer]] as Neil Patterson, Police Detective
⚫
==Cast==
⚫
*Eugene Gilfedder as Max DePyle, Police Detective
⚫
*[[Guy Pearce]] as Mike Barber
⚫
*[[Miranda Otto]] as Elizabeth Barber
⚫
*[[Kate Bell (Australian actress)|Kate Bell]] as Rachel Elizabeth Barber – a 15-year-old Australian dance student who went missing in Melbourne in 1999<ref name="nine">{{cite web|url = http://www.totalfilm.com/movie_news/guy_pearce_knows_how_to_change_in_9_weeks|title = Working Title In Her Skin|work = Total Film}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Khan Chittenden]] as Manni Carella – Rachel's boyfriend
⚫
*[[Sam Neill]] as David Reid – Caroline's father
⚫
*[[Rebecca Gibney]] as Gail – Caroline's mother
⚫
*[[Ruth Bradley]] as Caroline Reed Robertson – Rachel's former neighbour and sitter; Bradley won a Best Actress award at the Milan International Film Festival 2010 for her performance
⚫
*[[Jack Finsterer]] as Neil Patterson - Police Detective
⚫
*Eugene Gilfedder as Max DePyle - Police Detective
*[[Robert Braiden]] as a Detective
*[[Robert Braiden]] as a Detective
*[[Jeremy Sims]] as McLean - Policeman
*[[Jeremy Sims]] as McLean, Policeman
*Damien Garvey as Policeman
*[[Damien Garvey]] as Policeman
⚫
*Claude Minisini as Stephen Waddell, Missing Persons Boss

⚫
*[[Justine Clarke]] as Irene, Caroline's Boss
⚫
*Claude Minisini as Stephen Waddell - Missing Persons Boss
*[[Graeme Blundell]] as [[Ivan Southall|Ivan]], Elizabeth's father
⚫
*Justine Clarke as Irene - Caroline's Boss
*[[Graeme Blundell]] as Ivan - Elizabeth's father
*[[Diane Craig]] as Joy, Elizabeth's mother
*Diane Craig as Joy - Elizabeth's mother
*[[Steven Vidler (actor)|Steven Vidler]] as Drew, Elizabeth's brother
⚫
*[[Kelley Abbey|Kelly Abbey]] as Zoe, Rachel's Dance Teacher (also choreographer for the film)
*Steven Vidler as Drew - Elizabeth's brother
*Veronica Neave as Yvonne, Elizabeth's friend
⚫
*Kelly Abbey as Zoe - Rachel's Dance Teacher and choreographer for the film
⚫
*[[Paul Bishop (actor)|Paul Bishop]] as Doctor
*Veronica Neave as Yvonne - Elizabeth's friend
⚫
*[[Paul Denny (actor)|Paul Denny]] as Ambulance man
⚫
*Paul Bishop as Doctor
⚫
*Tori Forrest as Heather Barber (9 years old)
⚫
*Paul Denny as Ambulance man
⚫
*Amanda Dettrick as Diane, Rachel's family friend
⚫
*Tori Forrest as Heather Barber (nine years old)
⚫
*Amanda Dettrick as Diane - Rachel's family friend
*Dan Purdey as Missing Persons Cop
*Dan Purdey as Missing Persons Cop
*John Wonnacott as Missing Persons Cop
*John Wonnacott as Missing Persons Cop


==Production==
==Production==
''In Her Skin'' was inspired by the 2004 book ''Perfect Victim'' by Elizabeth Southall, the pen name of Elizabeth Barber, Rachel Barber's mother,<ref>{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Southall (Author) |url=http://www.penguin.com.au/contributors/2666/elizabeth-southall |title=Elizabeth Southall |publisher=Penguin.com.au |date=2014-06-17 |accessdate=2014-06-26}}</ref> and Megan Norris, an investigative reporter who as a court reporter followed the case of the murder of Rachel Barber. As alluded to in the film, Robertson went on to trial: after pleading guilty, she was sentenced and jailed in 2000 before being paroled in January 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/caroline-reed-robertson-who-strangled-dancer-rachel-barber-in-1999-freed-on-parole/news-story/5ce7e1bd298fbc40145f6aacf02dbfed|title=Rachel’s killer ‘shouldn’t be harassed’|date=2015-01-19|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref>
''In Her Skin'' was inspired by the 2004 book ''Perfect Victim'' by Elizabeth Southall, the pen name of Elizabeth Barber, Rachel Barber's mother,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.penguin.com.au/contributors/2666/elizabeth-southall |title=Elizabeth Southall |website=Penguin.com.au |date=2014-06-17 |access-date=2014-06-26}}</ref> and Megan Norris, an investigative reporter who as a court reporter followed the case of the murder of Rachel Barber. As alluded to in the film, Robertson went on to trial: after pleading guilty, she was sentenced and jailed in 2000 before being paroled in January 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/caroline-reed-robertson-who-strangled-dancer-rachel-barber-in-1999-freed-on-parole/news-story/5ce7e1bd298fbc40145f6aacf02dbfed|title=Rachel's killer 'shouldn't be harassed'|date=2015-01-19|website=Heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref>


The film was shot in 2008 in Brisbane and Melbourne under the title ''How to Change in 9 Weeks''. It was the directorial debut for Simone North. She had worked extensively in the film and television industry as a Creative Producer and writer. Director [[Sidney Lumet]] mentored ''In Her Skin'' director Simone North prior to production.<ref name="nine" />
The film was shot in 2008 in Brisbane and Melbourne under the title ''How to Change in 9 Weeks''. It was the directorial debut for Simone North. She had worked extensively in the film and television industry as a Creative Producer and writer. Director [[Sidney Lumet]] mentored ''In Her Skin'' director Simone North prior to production.<ref name="nine" />


The [[Film Finance Corporation]] invested $3.02 million in the film. Screen Queensland cashflowed the distribution guarantee from Reliant Pictures, the distributor, which was to be repaid 12 months after delivery. Liberty Films bankrolled the Icon distribution guarantee, which was to be repaid when the film was delivered. Neither Reliant Pictures nor Icon paid these guarantees.<ref name="if"/>
The [[Film Finance Corporation]] invested $3.02 million in the film. [[Screen Queensland]] cashflowed the distribution guarantee from Reliant Pictures, the distributor, which was to be repaid 12 months after delivery. Liberty Films bankrolled the Icon distribution guarantee, which was to be repaid when the film was delivered. Neither Reliant Pictures nor Icon paid these guarantees.<ref name="if"/>


===Post-production controversies===
===Post-production controversies===
The film was re-cut by the international distributor, Reliant Pictures International, without informing the filmmakers. The film's producers objected to this, because it broke contractual obligations to the Barbers. Also, as it was based on a true story, the re-cut was potentially defamatory.
The film was re-cut by the international distributor, Reliant Pictures International, without informing the filmmakers. The film's producers objected to this, because it broke contractual obligations to the Barbers. Also, as it was based on the true story of Rachel Barber who died in 1999 by the hands of a babysitter, the re-cut was potentially defamatory.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}


Thom Mount of Reliant Pictures was forced to destroy the cut, as the American and Australian Writers Guild and American and Australian Directors Guild, backed by contractual obligations, found the cut to be illegal. Omnilab, who was working with Reliant Pictures and were involved in the recut and part of the RFFF loan with Reliant, refused to repay Screen Queensland the $2.3 million loan. It has never been paid. Screen Queensland attempted to recover its money through the courts, suing both Omnilab Media and Mapp Group Holdings, who had underwritten Reliant’s distribution guarantee. The PFTC (which became Screen Queensland) eventually settled out of court with Omnilab.<ref name="if">[http://if.com.au/2009/07/15/article/KTKMLBIOGI.html Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin case continues", ''If Magazine'' 15 July 2009] accessed 4 June 2013</ref><ref>[http://if.com.au/2010/03/11/article/Omnilab-settles-In-Her-Skin-case/CGVCSRAJTJ.html Brendan Swift, "Omnilab settles In Her Skin case", 11 March 2010] accessed 4 June 2013</ref> Film Finances paid for and aided the re-cut with the American Producer.
Thom Mount of Reliant Pictures was forced to destroy the cut, as the American and Australian Writers Guild and American and Australian Directors Guild, backed by contractual obligations, found the cut to be illegal. Omnilab, who was working with Reliant Pictures and were involved in the recut and part of the RFFF loan with Reliant, refused to repay Screen Queensland the $2.3 million loan. It has never been paid. Screen Queensland attempted to recover its money through the courts, suing both Omnilab Media and Mapp Group Holdings, who had underwritten Reliant’s distribution guarantee. The PFTC (which became Screen Queensland) eventually settled out of court with Omnilab.<ref name="if">[http://if.com.au/2009/07/15/article/KTKMLBIOGI.html Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin case continues", ''If Magazine'' 15 July 2009], If.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013</ref><ref>[http://if.com.au/2010/03/11/article/Omnilab-settles-In-Her-Skin-case/CGVCSRAJTJ.html Brendan Swift, "Omnilab settles In Her Skin case", 11 March 2010], If.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013</ref> Film Finances paid for and aided the re-cut with the American Producer.


Goldcrest Films was given the film by Tony Cavanaugh, the Producer of the Film for international distribution, and screened it at markets in 2011 under the title ''I Am You''.<ref>[http://if.com.au/2010/07/30/article/PODYCKWKVP.html "I Am You trailer", ''If Magazine'' 30 July 2010] accessed 3 June 2013</ref> Icon films refused to release the film theatrically in Australia and ended the contract as the film remained as per the script, not the re-cut.<ref>[http://picha.com.au/rachel-barbers-father-calls-for-i-am-you-cinema-release/ Brendan Swift, "Rachel Barber’s father calls for ‘I Am You’ cinema release", ''Picha'' 30 May 2013] accessed 4 June 2013</ref>
Goldcrest Films was given the film by Tony Cavanaugh, the Producer of the Film for international distribution, and screened it at markets in 2011 under the title ''I Am You''.<ref>[http://if.com.au/2010/07/30/article/PODYCKWKVP.html "I Am You trailer", ''If Magazine'' 30 July 2010], If.com.au, accessed 3 June 2013</ref> Icon films refused to release the film theatrically in Australia and ended the contract as the film remained as per the script, not the re-cut.<ref>[http://picha.com.au/rachel-barbers-father-calls-for-i-am-you-cinema-release/ Brendan Swift, "Rachel Barber’s father calls for ‘I Am You’ cinema release", ''Picha'' 30 May 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613045239/http://picha.com.au/rachel-barbers-father-calls-for-i-am-you-cinema-release/ |date=13 June 2013 }}, Picha.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
The film screened at the [[Brisbane International Film Festival]] in 2012. It was screened on [[Foxtel]] in Australia on 2013.<ref>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/when-the-drama-spills-offscreen/story-e6frg8pf-1226696563861</ref>
The film screened at the [[Brisbane International Film Festival]] in 2012. It was screened on [[Foxtel]] in Australia on 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/when-the-drama-spills-offscreen/story-e6frg8pf-1226696563861 |title=When the drama spills offscreen &#124; the Australian |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620234037/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/when-the-drama-spills-offscreen/story-e6frg8pf-1226696563861 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Music==
==Music==
Line 98: Line 89:


==Awards==
==Awards==
[[Ruth Bradley]] won the Best Actress award at the Milan International Film Festival 2010 for her performance as Caroline Reed Robertson.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milan International Film Festival 2010 Awards|url=http://www.miff.it/nominees_imyou-rbradley.php?lang=1|accessdate=17 October 2012}}</ref>
[[Ruth Bradley]] won the Best Actress award at the Milan International Film Festival 2010 for her performance as Caroline Reed Robertson.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milan International Film Festival 2010 Awards|url=http://www.miff.it/nominees_imyou-rbradley.php?lang=1|website=Miff.it|access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 107: Line 98:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{imdb title|tt0995851}}
*{{IMDb title|tt0995851}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes|in_her_skin_2009}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes|in_her_skin_2009}}
*[http://www.movieweb.com/movie/in-her-skin Movieweb News]
*[https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=21029 Comingsoon Net]
*[https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=21029 Comingsoon Net]
*[http://www.bombippy.com/archives/2009/02/in_her_skin.php Bombippy]
*[http://www.bombippy.com/archives/2009/02/in_her_skin.php Bombippy]
*[https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Victim-chilling-daughters-disappearance/dp/0143001027 ''Perfect Victim: A chilling account of a bizarre and callous murder. A mother's true story of her daughter's disappearance''] at Amazon.com
*[http://www.penguin.com.au/contributors/2666/elizabeth-southall Elizabeth Southall] at Penguin Books


{{DEFAULTSORT:In Her Skin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:In Her Skin}}
[[Category:2009 films]]
[[Category:2009 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Brisbane]]
[[Category:Films shot in Brisbane]]
[[Category:Australian crime films]]
[[Category:Australian crime drama films]]
[[Category:2000s crime films]]
[[Category:2009 crime drama films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films about missing people]]
[[Category:2000s Australian films]]
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]]

Latest revision as of 16:38, 6 October 2024

This article is about the 2009 movie. For other uses, see I Am You.

In Her Skin
Directed bySimone North
Written bySimone North
Based onPerfect Victim
by Elizabeth Southall and Megan Norris
Produced byTony Cavanagh
Executive:
Maureen Barron
Catriona Hughes
Jason Moody
John Keating
Leesa Kahn
StarringGuy Pearce
Miranda Otto
Kate Bell
Khan Chittenden
Sam Neill
Rebecca Gibney
Ruth Bradley
Jack Finsterer
Robert Braiden
Jerome Velinsky
Paul Bishop
Production
companies
Screen Australia
Liberty Films International
Distributed byGoldcrest Films (international)
Release date
  • 2009 (2009)
2013 (Australian pay TV premiere)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$7.5 million[1]

In Her Skin (also known as I Am You from the working title How to Change in 9 Weeks) is a 2009 Australian drama movie written and directed by Simone North.[2] The film is based on the true story of the murder of 15-year-old Rachel Barber, Ivan Southall's granddaughter, who went missing on March 1, 1999. It was later discovered that Barber was murdered by a former neighbour and family babysitter, Caroline Reed Robertson.[3]

The film's story is told from alternating points of view; the victim, the victim's parents, and the murderer. Flashbacks reveal details about all of the characters, including the motive of the murderer. In Her Skin is inspired by the book Perfect Victim by Elizabeth Southall (Rachel's mother) and Megan Norris (an Investigative reporter).

Synopsis

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Fifteen-year old Rachel Barber misses her tram to meet with her father. Her parents grow concerned and report the incident to the police the next day. Since Rachel had gone missing with her backpack, with several of her most favorite possessions, the police treat the case as a teenage runaway incident.

Caroline Reid Robertson, a former neighbor and babysitter to the Barber family suffers from low self-esteem, depression, and an inferiority complex due to being bullied at school. Her parents are divorced and she has a complicated relationship with them. She idolizes the Barber family especially their daughter Rachel and tries to emulate her. This obsession continues even after Caroline starts her adult life away from the Barber family. After years spent in obsessing over Rachel, Caroline decides to 'become' Rachel and replace her. She asks Rachel to be a part of a confidential study through which Rachel can earn a considerable amount of money. Rachel confides about the study to her boyfriend, Manni, who is skeptical about it, but she does not tell him who recruited her for the study.

Rachel goes to Caroline's apartment where they talk to each other and drink. Caroline manages to incapacitate Rachel and strangles her to death.

Meanwhile, Manni tells Rachel's parents about the study Rachel wanted to participate in. An analyst with the police's Missing Persons department, Max DePyle, takes an interest in the case. DePyle calls in a favor with a friend at Australia's Most Wanted so that the case can get special attention from the media.

Caroline dumps Rachel's body at her father's farm. She thinks about how she can use Rachel's identity to start afresh. Feigning concern over Rachel's disappearance, Caroline calls the Barber home. But she is appalled to find that someone described Rachel being seen with a woman matching Caroline's description.

Caroline's odd behavior does not go unnoticed and soon her mother shares her concerns with Caroline's father. The police also become interested in Caroline and Detective Neil Paterson and DePyle brings her in for questioning. Caroline collapses and has to be hospitalized. Her father coaxes her to admit her possible role in Rachel's disappearance. Caroline ends up confessing to the murder and Detective Paterson arrests her.

Patterson and DePyle come to the Barber household to inform them of Rachel's fate and Caroline's involvement in it.

The film closes with Caroline in prison awaiting trial while Rachel's funeral is attended by her family and friends.

Cast

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Production

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In Her Skin was inspired by the 2004 book Perfect Victim by Elizabeth Southall, the pen name of Elizabeth Barber, Rachel Barber's mother,[4] and Megan Norris, an investigative reporter who as a court reporter followed the case of the murder of Rachel Barber. As alluded to in the film, Robertson went on to trial: after pleading guilty, she was sentenced and jailed in 2000 before being paroled in January 2015.[5]

The film was shot in 2008 in Brisbane and Melbourne under the title How to Change in 9 Weeks. It was the directorial debut for Simone North. She had worked extensively in the film and television industry as a Creative Producer and writer. Director Sidney Lumet mentored In Her Skin director Simone North prior to production.[3]

The Film Finance Corporation invested $3.02 million in the film. Screen Queensland cashflowed the distribution guarantee from Reliant Pictures, the distributor, which was to be repaid 12 months after delivery. Liberty Films bankrolled the Icon distribution guarantee, which was to be repaid when the film was delivered. Neither Reliant Pictures nor Icon paid these guarantees.[6]

Post-production controversies

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The film was re-cut by the international distributor, Reliant Pictures International, without informing the filmmakers. The film's producers objected to this, because it broke contractual obligations to the Barbers. Also, as it was based on the true story of Rachel Barber who died in 1999 by the hands of a babysitter, the re-cut was potentially defamatory.[citation needed]

Thom Mount of Reliant Pictures was forced to destroy the cut, as the American and Australian Writers Guild and American and Australian Directors Guild, backed by contractual obligations, found the cut to be illegal. Omnilab, who was working with Reliant Pictures and were involved in the recut and part of the RFFF loan with Reliant, refused to repay Screen Queensland the $2.3 million loan. It has never been paid. Screen Queensland attempted to recover its money through the courts, suing both Omnilab Media and Mapp Group Holdings, who had underwritten Reliant’s distribution guarantee. The PFTC (which became Screen Queensland) eventually settled out of court with Omnilab.[6][7] Film Finances paid for and aided the re-cut with the American Producer.

Goldcrest Films was given the film by Tony Cavanaugh, the Producer of the Film for international distribution, and screened it at markets in 2011 under the title I Am You.[8] Icon films refused to release the film theatrically in Australia and ended the contract as the film remained as per the script, not the re-cut.[9]

Release

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The film screened at the Brisbane International Film Festival in 2012. It was screened on Foxtel in Australia on 2013.[10]

Music

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"Caroline", "What You Want" and "Ocean" were written and performed by John Butler Trio, Family Music, Jarrah Records. "Dawning" and "Dying Swan" were performed by Mark Seymour and Cameron McKenzie. Score music was arranged and conducted by Nico Muhly and performed by Amiina (Iceland).

Awards

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Ruth Bradley won the Best Actress award at the Milan International Film Festival 2010 for her performance as Caroline Reed Robertson.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin in limbo", If Magazine 2 June 2009, If.com.au, accessed 3 June 2013
  2. ^ Dodd, Stacy (20 June 2007). "Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, Sam Neill". Variety. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  3. ^ a b c "Working Title in Her Skin". Totalfilm.com.
  4. ^ "Elizabeth Southall". Penguin.com.au. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Rachel's killer 'shouldn't be harassed'". Heraldsun.com.au. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b Brendan Swift, "In Her Skin case continues", If Magazine 15 July 2009, If.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013
  7. ^ Brendan Swift, "Omnilab settles In Her Skin case", 11 March 2010, If.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013
  8. ^ "I Am You trailer", If Magazine 30 July 2010, If.com.au, accessed 3 June 2013
  9. ^ Brendan Swift, "Rachel Barber’s father calls for ‘I Am You’ cinema release", Picha 30 May 2013 Archived 13 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Picha.com.au, accessed 4 June 2013
  10. ^ "When the drama spills offscreen | the Australian". Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Milan International Film Festival 2010 Awards". Miff.it. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
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